Purdue University
Director of the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center
🇺🇸
West Lafayette, IN
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$80K - $85K
💻
Operations
🗓️
February 1st, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
Purdue University is hiring a Director for its Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center (VMSC). The Director will lead an 8-person team supporting nearly 3,000 military-connected students, manage the center's budget, develop strategic initiatives, and collaborate closely with campus leaders and external officials to enhance veteran student success.
Highlights
- Lead a well-resourced team including Assistant Director, Program Manager, and School Certifying Officials.
- Manage a budget and develop strategic initiatives for the VMSC.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, campus partners, and state and federal officials.
- Provide support services to nearly 3,000 military-connected students across Purdue’s main campus, Indianapolis, and Statewide Technology sites.
- Require bachelor's degree; master's preferred in higher education or related fields.
- Six years of professional experience in higher education student affairs and experience with military education benefits required.
- Strong skills in interpersonal communication, organization, time management, budget handling, and staff supervision.
- Working knowledge of service member education benefits and ability to manage confidential information.
- Annual salary range: $80,000-$85,000 with generous benefits including tuition remission and professional development support.
- Position requires background check; employment authorization sponsorship not available.
Director of the Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center Full Description
Job Summary
Purdue University is seeking an experienced higher education leader to assume the role of Director of its Dorothy Stratton Veteran and Military Success Center (VMSC). This is an excellent opportunity to lead a well-resourced and supported team who serves nearly 3,000 military-connected students. The center is located at the main Purdue location in West Lafayette, Indiana but also serves students at Purdue in Indianapolis and at 9 Statewide Technology sites. The Director leads the efforts of Purdue’s 8-person VMSC Team. The team consists of the Assistant Director, the Program Manager for Service Benefits, and 5 School Certifying Officials (SCO). The Director collaborates closely with faculty and administrative leaders at all levels, numerous campus partners, and state and federal officials. The Director also manages a budget, develops and refines the VMSC’s strategic initiatives and is a member of the Student Success Programs department’s leadership team. This position is primarily in-person and located in West Lafayette, Indiana.
The priority deadline to apply is February 20, 2026. Cover letters are required with all applications.
At Purdue, you’ll join a community where unrivaled pride and unlimited potential are more than just words—they’re the foundation of how we work and grow, together.
About Us:
Purdue’s VMSC is a highly collaborative working environment. It is focused on supporting all military-connected students, facilitating career exploration and social connection, and processing veteran education benefits. The VMSC is housed in the historic Purdue Memorial Union which was built and dedicated to the memory and service of Purdue student veterans. Purdue leadership enthusiastically supports the VMSC’s work and has continually provided necessary resources to respond to growth in the population to be served and support VMSC staff. Candidates should explore the VMSC website and review the VMSC annual report from 2024-25.
What We're Looking For:
Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will need:
Qualified candidates will need:
- Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Affairs, Education, Management, or equivalent is strongly preferred
- Six years of professional experience in student affairs/services in a higher education setting, along with military service or experience in processing military-connect educational benefits
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
As the Director, you would bring:
- Understanding of and appreciation for collaboration, including ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from broad backgrounds and identities
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, and budgetary skills
- Ability to balance varied tasks and handle confidential information with discretion
- Capability to take the initiative to solve problems, assume responsibility and establish and maintain quality standards
- Experience supervising staff
- Ability to work autonomously and creatively while having a high level of analytical skills to manage details and multiple deadlines
- Working knowledge of service member education benefits
Additional Information:
- Purdue's benefits package is generous and includes tuition remission opportunities for the main campus and for Purdue University Global programs
- Purdue will also provide support for professional development and relocation
- The targeted annual salary range for this position is $80,000-$85,000
- Purdue's benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/
- Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately
Who We Are:
Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.
Career Stream
Management 4
Pay Band S075
Pay Band S075
Job Code#20002620
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
EOE
Purdue University is an EO/EA University
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